Paradox on Okinawa

Is Prime Minister standing on Okinawa or United States? That has been the question cast on every PM of Japan. This time, PM Abe looks like standing on Okinawa side. In the meeting with the Governor of Okinawa, Hirokazu Nakaima, Abe promised to work hard for reducing the burden of Okinawa. “Ok, just do it,” the people in Okinawa would say. The point is how to improve the relationship with US, which was deteriorated during DPJ administration.

The main point of the meeting between PM and the governor was that Abe promised not to apply the reclamation in Henoko to the governor of Okinawa, a process needed for building an alternative facility for Futenma Marine Air Base, before Japan-US summit talk expected later this month. While the government of Japan unilaterally forwarded the environmental assessment around Henoko coast, the protesters in Okinawa has been trying to block that. Every time the government made new effort, the relationship between national and local government became worth.

Regretting the history of Okinawa issue, Abe is focusing on reconstructing good relationship. Fortunately for him, Nakaima is closer to LDP than DPJ. When Nakaima was elected as the governor in 2006, LDP led by then PM Abe supported his campaign. This time, Abe started his commitment to Okinawa with developing personal relationship with the governor. On the policy level, he increased national budget for the development of Okinawa. Nakaima appreciates to this soft attitude of Abe administration so far.

Once the topic goes to Futenma issue, however, their friendship can turn to be rivalry. When Nakaima reelected in 2010, he unequivocally announced his standpoint as anti-Henoko. During DPJ administration, there happened a number of problems in Okinawa. A rape of a woman by American military personnel stimulated the resentment of Okinawan people against US military base. Ill-informed by the government, the deployment of tiltrotor aircraft, MV-22 Osprey, caused broad protest requiring other places to redeployment. Basic attitude of Nakaima still is that “it is unrealistic to move Futenma base to Henoko.” Thinking of firm opposition in Okinawa, it is unlikely to settle the Futenma issue this year.

If Okinawa issue takes time, what is Abe going to talk about with US President Barack Obama later this month? Is it possible for both countries to renew the Guideline of Japan-US Defense Cooperation without any breakthrough in Okinawa? The closer Abe goes to Okinawa, the farther the distance of Japan-US relationship becomes. There seems to be no solution on that so far.